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Israeli Medicine Does It Again!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 Israel Today Staff

No stitches please!
Israeli surgeons use laser to close incisions


In a medical advancement worthy of Star Trek or any other science fiction classic, Israeli surgeons have become the first in the world to use surgical lasers to close incisions.

Researchers have for years been working on a medical laser, but until recently had failed to find a way to maintain proper laser heat and not over- or under-cook the tissue.

But a team at Tel Aviv University recently solved the problem and won approval for a clinical test for their laser. The device was used a few months ago to close incisions in 10 gall bladder operations.

The Jerusalem Post reports that this week all 10 patients were examined and doctors found that the portions of their incisions closed by laser had healed as good or better than those closed by stitches.

The laser will now be tested in cesarean sections and other operations where longer incisions are used.

If the laser continues to prove successful it will not only improve efficiency in operating rooms, but will also greatly aid rescue teams and battlefield medics.